Wilson Habitat set to celebrate 60th home

Jennifer Clark will celebrate a milestone on Sunday as she becomes a homeowner through Habitat for Humanity.

Clark’s home signifies a milestone in more than one way, however.

Not only will Clark and her son LaVonte have a home of their own, Habitat for Humanity’s Wilson Division will celebrate the completion of its 60th build. This year is the 20th anniversary for Wilson County’s Habitat for Humanity’s first home.

“We’re very proud of our history and are already looking forward to how we can meet the needs of families the next 20 years,” said Habitat for Humanity Wilson Division Director Tory Tredway.

The Clark’s home is located on Alydar Drive in Watertown, and Tredway said this is the fourth Habitat home built in that city. It is part of a subdivision on Poplar Hill Road, Tredway said. There were close to 160 volunteers who helped complete the house.

Tredway said there will be some work by volunteers on Saturday and Sunday. The official dedication of the Clark home begins at 2 p.m. Sunday, and Tredway invited volunteers to join in the celebration.

“We encourage all of our volunteers who have worked on the house to come out,” he said.

The owner of the county’s first Habitat home, Juanita Johnson, also has something to celebrate.

According to Tredway, Johnson’s mortgage is now completely paid off. The last few months’ payments on the 20-year mortgage were paid for by an anonymous donor.

“She was just speechless,” he said. “She is a woman of faith and gave all the glory to God. She knew it was a gift from the Lord.

“She was very humbled and very touched by such a kind act.”

Tredway said Johnson was invited to the organization’s annual Houses of Hope fundraiser earlier this year to speak on her experience as a homeowner through Habitat.

“She was very sweet and shared how thankful she has been over the years for that home,” said Tredway.